Psycho Killer, Qu'est-ce que c'est? (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Being a Serial Killer)

I didn't plan to become a serial killer; it just kind of happened.

Hang on, I should probably back up a little bit here. And, before anyone gets the wrong idea, no, I have not killed anyone and I don't think I ever will. Sure, like most writers, I have a questionable internet search history, but that just comes with the territory, right?

Right?

Anyway. 

As I've mentioned before, one of my favorite things about Twitter (or the platform formerly known as Twitter, if you insist) is the use of prompts that get me thinking and writing. I spent many years of my life not writing any fiction at all, and when I started again there were some old muscles that hadn't stretched in a long time. And so I stretched, grateful for the exercise. 

I stretched my way into my first published short story, an opportunity that grew from responding to daily #TimeTravelAuthors posts. I'm working on a sequel that tells the same story from a different character's point of view; those muscles are getting stronger and more confident.

This past winter I found #CreativityStir prompts, daily inspiration for stories, poems, or wherever the photo may lead you. The images were interesting, and the community in the comments welcomed me immediately. And if the first few months hadn't been lovely pictures of things like doves and castles and a guy walking in the woods, I probably wouldn't be where I am today. 

Last month the prompts turned spooky, with supernatural pictures (and now video clips) to inspire us all. I came up with a couple of fun ghost stories, but I didn't have time to participate every day. I knew I'd have more time for mental workouts in August, and I looked forward to finding out what the next theme would be.

And then at the end of July, the announcement came: August would be Serial Killer Month.

Well, friends, I had to think about that. You see, I've been hard at work for two years now on a middle-grade science-fiction epic ten-book series that I'm convinced will be the biggest thing since that kid discovered he was a wizard, and I think I'm supposed to think about my image as a middle-grade author. Or at least not confuse the marketing team for my future bestsellers by writing in a wide range of genres. 

So I had to ask myself: should I stretch my writing muscles with some dark, definitely not middle-grade story ideas? Or should I sit out this month to protect my image?

I decided to stretch, a little tentatively at first. Other writers in the group encouraged me, and one in particular gave me permission to be someone else for the month: #NatTheRipper. 

So now I spend a few minutes each morning sipping coffee and trying to put myself in the head of a killer. Usually the rest of my family is getting ready for today's summer vacation adventure while I'm doing this; sometimes I write on my phone while we walk on the beach, and they don't suspect a thing. 

I'm really glad I found this group - all of the writers are brilliant and the conversations are hilarious. We've all stretched in ways that we didn't expect, and created worlds and characters that never would have existed without these prompts. 

Oh, that picture of the guy walking in the woods I mentioned earlier? That turned into a short story that I think will be published in an anthology of stories inspired by these prompts soon, and that one stretched to some very weird places. More on that later. 

I don't think I'm going to be a thriller writer, but it's fun to stretch in that direction, and it feels good to strengthen those muscles. Maybe under a pen name...